GUWAHATI: Assamese cinema witnessed an unprecedented spectacle Friday as queues began forming outside theatres across the state at 3am for the release of cultural icon Zubeen Garg 's last film, Roi Roi Binale . By 4.25am, halls were packed for the pre-dawn shows of what has become a musical catharsis for millions seeking closure since the artiste's death just over a month ago.
Many arrived carrying flowers to shower on Zubeen the moment he appeared on screen as a blind singer in what he had proudly promoted as " Assam's first-ever musical ". Emotions soared as his personal favourite and biggest hit, Mayabini, reverberated through theatres before the opening credits rolled. Some cried; others screamed his name.
Rajesh Bhuyan, who co-directed the film with Zubeen, said Roi Roi Binale had turned into something far greater than cinema. "This is the first time in Assam's history that a film is being screened before sunrise. And why not? Zubeen's final act doesn't just entertain - it heals," he said.
The title track, already topping charts, is a recreation of the song from Zubeen's 1998 album Sobdo. "Through the film and its music, we wanted to evoke hope after pain," Bhuyan added.
Zubeen's wife Garima, sister Palme Borthakur and other family members watched the film in a Guwahati theatre in the evening, leaving a seat symbolically vacant between Garima and Palme.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he would watch the film later to avoid crowding theatres. "We'll request Jonaki Hall in Guwahati to organise a special screening," he said. The BJP-led cabinet has decided to hand over the state's GST share from Roi Roi Binale to the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation , set up by Zubeen for the welfare of the underprivileged. "There's no provision for tax exemption, so the GST collected will be transferred to his foundation," Sarma added.
With tickets for all shows over the next week sold out, Roi Roi Binale is on course to shatter Assamese box-office records. Most theatres are screening up to seven shows a day. Fans outside Assam await its release in select cities.
Zubeen died in Singapore on Sept 19, plunging Assam into collective mourning.
Many arrived carrying flowers to shower on Zubeen the moment he appeared on screen as a blind singer in what he had proudly promoted as " Assam's first-ever musical ". Emotions soared as his personal favourite and biggest hit, Mayabini, reverberated through theatres before the opening credits rolled. Some cried; others screamed his name.
Rajesh Bhuyan, who co-directed the film with Zubeen, said Roi Roi Binale had turned into something far greater than cinema. "This is the first time in Assam's history that a film is being screened before sunrise. And why not? Zubeen's final act doesn't just entertain - it heals," he said.
The title track, already topping charts, is a recreation of the song from Zubeen's 1998 album Sobdo. "Through the film and its music, we wanted to evoke hope after pain," Bhuyan added.
Zubeen's wife Garima, sister Palme Borthakur and other family members watched the film in a Guwahati theatre in the evening, leaving a seat symbolically vacant between Garima and Palme.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he would watch the film later to avoid crowding theatres. "We'll request Jonaki Hall in Guwahati to organise a special screening," he said. The BJP-led cabinet has decided to hand over the state's GST share from Roi Roi Binale to the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation , set up by Zubeen for the welfare of the underprivileged. "There's no provision for tax exemption, so the GST collected will be transferred to his foundation," Sarma added.
With tickets for all shows over the next week sold out, Roi Roi Binale is on course to shatter Assamese box-office records. Most theatres are screening up to seven shows a day. Fans outside Assam await its release in select cities.
Zubeen died in Singapore on Sept 19, plunging Assam into collective mourning.
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